CHAPTER FOUR – THE STRANGER’S HOME
757 Words
The car ride to the Gold estate had been quiet.
Not tense. Just… quiet.
Elena had kept her eyes on the window, watching the world blur past, wondering how it had all changed so fast. From being invisible in her own home to suddenly becoming someone’s wife—his wife.
Leonardo hadn’t said a word. But his presence filled the space. He sat straight, still, like someone who was always in control.
She stole a glance at him once, and caught him already looking at her.
His gaze didn’t drop.
She turned away, heart fluttering.
The Gold estate was larger than she’d imagined. A blend of old-world charm and ruthless elegance. Stone walls, sharp corners, gardens that were perfectly trimmed but carried no warmth.
As the car pulled to a stop, the massive doors of the estate opened.
A man and woman stood waiting.
“Elena, meet Marco,” Leonardo introduced as he stepped out of the car. “ My right hand man. He handles most of the estate’s affairs.”
Arturo gave her a polite nod. She assumed he was in his late thirties, his hair was combed neatly and his sharp eyes never missed anything that happened around him.
“This is Lidia,” he said while pointing at the woman next to Marco. “ She's the housekeeper. She'll help you with whatever you need.”
Lidia, a round woman with silver-streaked hair and beautiful brown eyes, stepped forward while offering her a small, warm smile. “Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Gold.” she said.
Elena blinked at the name.
Mrs. Gold.
She had a new name now.
She followed Leonardo inside. The halls were quiet, too quiet for her liking but she was used to such surroundings, the only sound were the sound of here heels. The walls lined with family portraits—men with hard, scary stares, women who looked like dolls by the side of the men.
“I'll take you to your room, Mrs. Gold ,” Lidia said gently.
“Her room?” Leonardo asked, pausing.
Lidia hesitated. “Yes, sir. I assumed—”
“No, She stays in mine,” he said simply.
Elena felt her cheeks flush.
Lidia nodded quickly and motioned them forward.
The master bedroom was massive. Too clean. Too quiet.
Walking towards the balcony Leonardo pushed the doors open, letting the breeze in. “You can change and rest. Dinner is at eight. If you need any help, I can send Lidia in to help you settle down.”
She just nodded, because she didn't know what to say.
He turned to her, and she could have sworn she heard his voice become a little softer. “I don’t expect anything from you, Elena. This isn’t a performance. You don’t owe me anything just because we’re married, but know this, you're now a Gold so you must act like one.”
She blinked at him.
He sounded sincere but cold. Always cold it seems
She nodded again, but her fingers still trembled slightly.
“I’ll see you down stairs by 8,” he said, then left the room without any noise.
She stood there staring at the spot he had been standing .
Not knowing what to feel.
Not knowing how to act.
Here she was in a stranger’s home, in his room, bearing his name. Married to a man she had spoken to less than ten sentences with.
She should feel afraid. But yet she didn't.
Confused, yes. Uneasy. Overwhelmed even.
But not afraid.
Maybe it was the way he looked at her at the wedding. Or the way he hadn’t touched her, hadn’t demanded anything. Maybe it was the fact that for once, someone had asked what she wanted like she actually mattered.
There was a knock.
Lidia entered with a soft smile. “I brought you some comfortable clothes. Come, I’ll help you out of the dress.”
As the layers of lace were unfastened, Elena asked quietly, “ Can I ask you a question.”
“Yes.” Lidia answered
“Is he always like this?”
Lidia paused, then chuckled. “Leonardo Gold is not like anyone. But… he’s fair. Cold sometimes. Quiet. But never cruel.”
Elena swallowed. That was more than she could say for most of the people she’d known and she was finding it hard to believe.
She glanced toward the door.
Maybe this marriage wasn’t the prison she thought it would be.
Maybe—just maybe—it was something else entirely.
- Writer
